A century of women in PR: Stories about meaning, balance, and a clear path forward
Thanks to PR pioneers like Betsy Plank, Belle Moskowitz, and Ida B. Wells—all of whom will be covered in this program—there are more women in leadership roles than ever before. Yet, despite this progress, the C-suites remain largely filled by men. Learn how our predecessors dealt with the extraordinary obstacles during their time, when professional women were a rarity in the workplace, and how today's women can use similar strategies for getting ahead.
EMCEE
Dr. Caryn Medved
Professor, Corporate Communication, MA Program Director
Baruch College, CUNY
FIRESIDE CHAT
Margery Kraus
Founder & Executive Chairman
APCO Worldwide
“Never underestimate the power of being underestimated.”
SPECIAL GUEST
Muriel Fox
Co-founder, the National Organization for Women (NOW)
“It took a half a century to prove that women can do what men do. Now we have to prove that men can do what women do.”
SPECIAL GUEST
Barbara Hunter
Founder, Hunter Public Relations
“After one of the many speeches I gave to civic groups on behalf of a new client, this gentleman came up to me and said, ‘I never thought we would ever hire a firm headed by women but I’m glad we did.’”
SPECIAL GUEST
Grace Leong
CEO, Hunter:
“The first thing Barbara (Hunter) did when she took over her firm was to bring the pay for women up to what the men were earning for the same job. A gutsy move back then but the right one.”
Barbara Hunter, founder of Hunter Public Relations, will be interviewed by Grace Leong, the firm's current president, together with Cal Curtis, a Hunter senior marketing manager with a close rapport with Barbara and Grace.
Denise Hill on Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Dr. Denise Hill
Associate Professor, Strategic Communication
Elon University
Ida B. Wells-Barnett (1862–1931) was born into slavery and became a prominent journalist and activist. She was founder of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club which was created to address issues dealing with civil rights and women’s suffrage.
Karla Gower on Betsy Plank
Dr. Karla Gower
Professor, Department of Advertising & PR
University of Alabama
Betsy Plank (1924–2010), a PR pioneer, attained leadership positions not reached by previous women. Plank played a central role in the establishment of PRSSA, and devoted much of her time to advancing public relations education.
Rachel Kovacs on Belle Moskowitz
Dr. Rachel Kovacs
Adjunct Associate Professor of Communication
City University of New York
Belle Moskowitz (1877–1933) was Al Smith’s campaign manager in his 1928 run for the presidency. Once dubbed “the most powerful woman in America,” Moskowitz developed innovative techniques that she applied to her own public relations agency’s practices.
Candace Steele Flippin: Get Your Career In Shape
Dr. Candace Steele Flippin
SVP and Chief Communications Officer
Acuity Brands
Get Your Career in Shape Ms. Steele Flippin’s discussed the fine points of her newest book, a five-step guide to help women improve their careers. Her other books include Gen Z in the Workplace and Millennials in the Workplace.
Students reflect on what may be learned from the evening's program
Madison Abrams, UGA Communication Studies & Sociology graduate student
Jake Strickland, UGA School of Public and International Affairs student
Matilda Lindberg, Weissman School of Arts & Sciences MA student in corporate communications
Taylor Williams, DePaul University PRSSA chapter president
Joia Scott
FIT Advertising and Marketing Communications graduate; Hunter PR communications coordinator
Thanks to our Sponsors
Sponsored in part by Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia; TV One; Johnson & Johnson; The Bonnie Yablon Foundation; Renew PR; Page; Hunter:; Pat Ford; The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management; Racepoint Global; Experian; APCO Worldwide; James E. Lukaszewski, Germinder + Associates; Muck Rack; and CommPRO.
